Suzuki

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport: Weidel on Wheels

The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara will not be a first choice for many shoppers. And if money is not an issue, the compact sport utility vehicle may not even make the finalists’ list. Many competitors have better credentials. But if money is an issue, don’t dismiss the Grand Vitara. It has significantly improved in recent years and not only provides an impressive value, it has good qualities as a daily driver. The 2008 Grand Suzuki XSport wasn’t a vehicle I couldn’t wait to bid farewell after a week’s drive. It’s an attractive model with an attractive price tag, $22,349. That’s a tough match for the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, among others in the competitive compact SUV

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Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

My weekly drive was the Grand Vitara X-sport. It had a 2.7-liter V6 engine, 185 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. With its two-wheel drive and sunroof additions, it’s one of eight configuration of the vehicle positioned in the class featuring more heavily marketed and more expensive competitors like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4, Mercury Mariner and Jeep Liberty. Despite varying marketing campaigns, many compact SUVs seem remarkably similar. None are touted as speed burners or comfort machines. But as utilitarian vehicles for outdoors enthusiasts and families, the Grand Vitara stands out among its competitors in a few areas. The Vitara has good overall vision, a spacious cabin, and straightforward controls. Its side-hinged, rear cargo door provides quick

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Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But the Forenza falls short in too many key areas, most notably craftsmanship and performance. As such, it isn’t a prudent choice in the economical wagon category. My weekly drive, like all Forenza and Reno (the hatchback) models included a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 127-horsepower engine. It also featured a four-speed automatic transmission (a five-speed manual transmission is also available). The automatic transmission is the vehicle’s key disappointment. Acceleration is adequate from a stopped start, but it’s nowhere near as efficient in mid-range speed acceleration or in freeway situations. Likewise, the automatic shifting takes a concerted effort whether maneuvering into a forward or reverse gear or into the park position. As an economy vehicle, the Forenza isn’t particularly economical with ratings

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Suzuki Aerio, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s also likely a safe assumption that many car buyers still can’t afford a $30,000 vehicle. Suppose, for example, a new car buyer has only $15,000 to spend. What’s available? And what’s a prudent purchase in the price range? One good choice is the 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX. The 4-door economy wagon has a lot to offer. With every available option, the vehicle’s price is only slightly more than half the national average of a new vehicle. My test drive for the week was the four-cylinder, 155-horsepower Aerio with a five-speed manual transmission. The vehicle’s standard features alone warrant a long look for economy shoppers: air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/6-CD changer and split folding rear seats. For

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Suzuki Reno, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Average price or luxury price, it makes little different. A new vehicle approaching $30,000 still far exceeds many budgets. But what if the benefits of a new warranty are appealing and a consumer has less than half of the average new car price available? One decent option is the Suzuki Reno. It’s  not as well known as most of its competitors, most notably the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. But during my weekly test drive, the South Korean manufacturer’s four-door compact not only provided solid transportation, but it did so with surprising responsiveness, good comfort and good overall functionality. The Reno is a basic vehicle, and I don’t want to give the wrong impression. There are reasons the

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Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As an entry level wagon, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza offers budget-minded buyers a spacious wagon with a good supply of standard features. But as a debut vehicle, it’s also unproven in the resale market and has shortcomings that ideally define its position in the marketplace. My weekly test drive was the LX wagon, one of 10 available Forenza models in 2005. The 2.0-liter, 16-value, 126-horsepower engine has a four-speed automatic transmission, the only option. The vehicle has gas good mileage estimates for its class, and the wagon accelerates adequately in city scenarios. But it’s sluggish and needs a full-throttle jolt on the steady highway inclines or in a quickly needed lane-change situation. The Forenza wagon isn’t particularly quiet on the

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Suzuki XL-7, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Traveling east from Sacramento on either Interstate 80 or 50, the capital of California extends into ever-expanding suburbs. Sierra Nevada foothill communities soon follow and then respectively the well-known gambling and recreation meccas of Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe, Calif. Busier freeways exist, but both Northern California thoroughfares have their share of hectic commuter traffic and every other conceivable transportation concern. Both freeways therefore provide perfect arenas for vehicle testing, particularly the consistent, steady ascents into the foothills and toward ski resort elevations. There’s nothing too steep, but the steady grades can abruptly help showcase a vehicle’s power strengths or weaknesses. In my recent test drive of the 2005 Suzuki XL-7, the new midsize SUV offered by the Japanese manufacturer,

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Suzuki Verona, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

And while it’s categorized in the economy sedan range, should a $20,000 vehicle with an full complement of standard features belong in that club? With its Italian design and a list of standard features substantially longer than offered by some its higher-priced competitors, the Verona has been stereotyped. Of course, first-year vehicles can have issues. Will the Verona and its complementary Forenza, for example, another first-year Suzuki offering, have fair resale value? Like the car has less-than-smooth automatic shifting, and foot brake must be engaged to shift. Regardless, my weekly test vehicle was the Verona EX TC, a 2.5 DOHC, 24-valve, 155-horsepower V6 sedan with a four-speed automatic transmission.  It’s the first time Suzuki has offered a V-6, and it’s

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Suzuki Forenza, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Like Hyundai and Kia, the Korean manufacturer Suzuki has accepted the difficult task of trying to infiltrate the sub-compact market dominated by Honda, Toyota and Ford. Its new 2004 offering is the Forenza, a front-wheel drive sedan offered in three models, the S, LX and the top-of-the-line EX. All models have a 2.0-liter, 126-horsepower, 16-valve engine. The LX and EX models include 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry and alarm, power sunroof and fog lights as standard features. The EX model I drove for a week includes standard leather upholstery. Cruise control, air conditioning and AM/FM/CD and cassette system with eight speakers are also among the long list of standard equipment. Still, the Forenza faces an uphill challenge. While

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